Authorities incinerated P676.6 million worth of confiscated illegal drugs on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City, marking Central Visayas's largest court-ordered destruction.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police led the event, destroying 99.45 kilograms of shabu alongside marijuana, Nubain, ephedrine, and other drug paraphernalia seized in joint operations.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez and Cebu City Councilor Pablo Labra II urged the public to report illegal drug activities to protect communities and prevent violent crime.
AUTHORITIES incinerated P676.6 million worth of confiscated illegal drugs on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, marking what they described as the largest court-ordered destruction of illicit substances in Central Visayas.
The ceremony was held at 9:30 a.m. at the facility of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes on Junquera St. in the downtown area of Cebu City. Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, requires all courts to destroy evidence after a trial against an arrested drug dealer is completed.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) led the event to demonstrate transparency in the handling of seized drug evidence and counter claims that confiscated illegal drugs are recycled back into circulation.
According to the PDEA 7, authorities destroyed 99,450.27 grams, or 99.45 kilograms, of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, accounting for most of the total value of the drugs incinerated.
The haul also included 2,539.57 grams of marijuana, 8.4 millilitres of nalbuphine hydrochloride, commonly known as Nubain, 18.18 grams of ephedrine and other illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Decade-long campaign
PDEA 7 said Tuesday’s activity was its 18th public destruction of illegal drugs since July 26, 2016.
With the latest destruction, the total value of court-cleared illegal drugs incinerated by the regional office has exceeded P4.3 billion.
The agency said another public destruction is expected in the coming weeks once the courts issue the necessary orders in pending cases.
Court-approved destruction
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez led the ceremony with regional officials during his visit to Cebu.
The illegal drugs were seized during joint anti-drug operations across Central Visayas and Negros Oriental.
According to the PDEA 7, each batch was destroyed only after courts issued orders.
Representatives from the Department of Justice, the Public Attorney’s Office, civil society groups, local officials and the media witnessed the destruction to ensure transparency and compliance with legal procedures.
Public urged to help
Speaking during the ceremony, Nerez urged the public to continue supporting the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
“To our fellow Cebuanos, I encourage you to continue becoming our partners,” Nerez said.
“Report illegal drug activities through the proper authorities. The information you will provide can help protect your family, your neighborhood and future generations,” he added.
Community impact
Cebu City Councilor Pablo Labra II, chairman of the peace and order committee, said destroying the illegal drugs would help prevent them from reaching communities.
Drawing from his experience as a former PNP general, Labra said he had witnessed the effects of illegal drugs on families and communities.
“I have been on the ground and have witnessed how illegal drugs destroyed not only the lives of those who used them, but also the lives of the people who love these victims,” he said.
Labra said illegal drugs continue to fuel violent crime and threaten public safety across Cebu City and neighbouring provinces. / ABC